Derrick Rose continues to prove Bulls made right choice in ’08 draft

When the stars aligned and the Bulls miraculously won the NBA draft lottery in 2008, there was much debate about whom they should draft with the No. 1 overall pick.

Some argued for Michael Beasley, a 6-foot-10-inch freshman from Kansas State. In his freshman season, Beasley averaged 26.2 points per game and a nation-leading 12.4 rebounds per game. Beasley had the size and skill that many believed would seamlessly translate into success in the NBA.

Others, however, argued for Rose, a 6-foot-3-inch point guard from Memphis. As a freshman, Rose led the Tigers to the national championship game against Kansas. Rose was quick and showed signs of greatness during his brief time at Memphis.

The Bulls elected to go with Rose over the powerful Beasley, and two seasons later, they couldn’t have made a better decision.

I’ll admit, when the Bulls won the NBA lottery, I was pulling for Beasley. Now, Beasley is the last person I’d want to see in a Bulls uniform. I wouldn’t call him a bust just yet, but he’s close. He just hasn’t panned out the way most analysts thought he would.

After the Miami Heat signed LeBron James and Chris Bosh, they shipped Beasley off to the place where NBA players go to be forgotten—the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Since Rose’s emergence into the NBA, he won Rookie of the Year in 2009 and was an All-Star in 2010. He has given Bulls fans hope that they may soon see their team in the NBA Finals.

Rose is quick. He’s smart. He’s unselfish. He plays the type of basketball that any coach would want. He’s not flashy, but he consistently shows flashes of greatness.

The best part about Rose? He’s not even close to reaching his full potential. He is still so young, just 22 years old, and just a fraction of how good he will be.

Rose has the ability to take over a game with his quickness and agility. If you watched the Bulls’ season-opener against the Thunder, you probably saw just how good Rose can be. Granted, the Bulls lost that game, but Rose was a highlight reel in himself.

After that game, Rose could have filled every spot on ESPN’s Sportscenter’s “Top 10 Plays” list.

He is literally a highlight reel waiting to happen, and he’s not going anywhere. He’s a Bull, and my guess is he’ll always be a Bull.

He’s the first superstar wearing a Bulls’ jersey since Michael Jordan, and I’m guessing he’ll get his first (of many) championship ring in the next five years.